TRADITIONAL ABORIGINAL MEDICINE PRACTICE

IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Dr Dayalan Devanesen AM
MBBS, DPH (Syd) Grad. Dip MGT,
MHP (NSW) FRACMA, FAFPHM, FCHSE

Paper presented at

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TRADITIONAL

MEDICINE

BETTER SCIENCE, POLICY AND SERVICES

FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT

11-13 September 2000

AWAJI ISLAND, JAPAN

Organised by the
World Health Organisation
Centre for Health Development
Kobe, Japan
 TRADITIONAL ABORIGINAL MEDICINE PRACTICE IN THE NORTHERN
TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

Dr. D. Dayalan Devanesen AM

MBBS,DPH (Syd) Grad.Dip MGT,
MHP (NSW) FRACMA,FAFPHM,FCHSE
Director
Primary Health Coordinated Care
Northern Territory Health Services

INTRODUCTION

Australia is the only continent to have been occupied exclusively by nomadic hunters and
gatherers until recent times. Carbon dating of skeletal remains proves that Australian
Aboriginal history started some 40,000 years ago, long before Captain Cook landed on the
eastern coast. This history is not completely lost. It is retained in the minds and memories of
successive generations of Aboriginal people, passed on through a rich oral tradition of song,
story, poetry and legend. According to Aboriginal belief all life, human, animal, plant and
mineral are part of one vast unchanging network of relationships which can be traced to the
great spirit ancestors of the Dreamtime.

The Dreamtime continues as the ‘Dreaming’ or ‘Jukurrpa’ in the spiritual lives of

Aboriginal people today. The events of the Dreamtime are enacted in ceremonies and dances
and chanted incessantly to the accompaniment of didgeridoo or clapsticks. (Isaacs J 1980)
The Dreaming is the source of the rich artistry, creativity and ingenuity of the Aboriginal
people.

In Australia, western health services have been superimposed on traditional Aboriginal

systems of health care. However, these traditional systems have survived despite the dramatic
influence of cultural contact, and Aboriginal medicine is still widely practised in the Northern
Territory today (Tynan 1979; Nathan and Japanangka 1983; Reid 1983; Soong 1983.
Devanesen 1985, Maher 1999). The Northern Territory occupies one sixth of the Australian
land mass. It has a population of just under 200,000 of which 28% are Aboriginal. The vast
majority of the Aboriginies live in small remote communities scattered across the Territory.

Traditional Aboriginal medicine is a complex system closely linked to the culture and beliefs
of the people, knowledge of their land and its flora and fauna. Its survival is explained by its
“embeddedness” in the social fabric of Aboriginal culture. Reid (1978) has shown that,
though Aborigines living at Yirrkala in the Northern Territory choose western medicine to
treat the majority of their sicknesses, they continue to explain the causes of these sicknesses
through their traditional beliefs.

Western medicine is primarily interested in the recognition and treatment of disease.

Traditional medicine seeks to a provide meaningful explanation for illness and to respond to
the personal, family and community issues surrounding illness. Traditional medicine explains
not only the “how” but also the “why” of sickness.

The Aboriginal approach to health care is a holistic one. It recognises the social, physical and
spiritual dimensions of health and life. Their concept of health in many ways is closer than
that of Western medicine to the WHO definition of health, ‘a state of complete physical,
mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. The
Warlpiri Aboriginal tribe have described health as “life” or ‘Wankaru’. Their definition
takes in a whole of life cycle. The front of their Health Centre at the Aboriginal settlement of
Yuendumu is adorned with the painting depicted below. It shows family life, food, shelter,
warmth, water and exercise, all essential for health. (Devanesen D 1983)
TRADITIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM OF THE WARLPIRI ABORIGINES

The Warlpiri Aborigines comprise one of the largest tribes in the Northern Territory. They
are scattered over many Aboriginal communities in the north-west of Central Australia:

The main components of the Warlpiri health system are the ngangkayikirili or traditional
healers, commonly referred to as ngangkari or ngangkayi (healing power), Yawulyu
ceremonies; healing songs and herbal medicine. In addition there are laws governing
behaviour that are aimed at preventing sickness.

Ngangkari

Professor Elkin (1977) referred to the traditional healers as Aboriginal men of high degree.
The healers are kinred to Amerindian ‘men of power’ and shamans. These healers are
specially chosen and trained to remove the influence of sorcery and evil spirits and to restore
the well-being of the soul or spirit. Their role is extremely important because most serious
illness is thought to be brought about by loss of a vital substance from the body (soul loss),
introduction of a foreign and harmful substance into the body (spirit intrusion or possession),
or violation of taboos and sorcery (singing). The traditional healers usually gain the power to
heal through inheritance or through special spiritual experiences. They possess a spirit called
mapanpa which is associated with healing power. This is different from the spirit that every
Warlpiri person has “like a shadow” (Tynan 1979).

The traditional healer carries out a healing ritual which often includes sucking the sick person.
After sucking, the healer usually spits out a wooden object called yarda which is covered in
blood. The yarda represents the evil influence. Sometimes, the traditional healer massages
the patient, manipulates the body or sings during the ritual. The traditional healer may
diagnose the state of the spirit, e.g. “kurrunpa yulangu” (the spirit is sad). The traditional
healers do not use herbal medicine in their practice.

Yawulyu Ceremonies and Healing Songs

Warlpiri women frequently perform Yawulyu ceremonies. These ceremonies improve the
health of sick people but cannot remove the influence of sorcery. The ceremony consists of
singing songs and painting designs on the sick person. These designs are derived from the
power of the Dreamtime. Each ritual is carried out by the kirda (owners) or kurdungurlu
(managers) of a particular “Dreaming”. Sometimes the songs and designs appear to the
people in their dreams and are thought to be revealed by spirit creatures called yinawuru
(Munn 1973). During the ceremony the sick person may be massaged with fat and red ochre.
These materials derive special potency from the songs. In some cases senior men and women
sing songs without the ceremony to strengthen sick people. Songs are sometimes sung to
ensure safe childbirth. The Yawulyu ceremonies and songs assist in providing strong family
support for the sick person.
Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine and knowledge of plants is not the domain of any particular group in the
Warlpiri system. Its knowledge and use are shared by the whole family. The Warlpiri have
extensive knowledge of plants and have published their own book which lists several plants
and their medicinal uses (Henshall et al. 1980)

Medicinal plants are mainly used symptomatically for coughs and colds, pains and aches.
Some are used as dressings for wounds and sores. Herbal medicine was the first component
of the Warlpiri health system to be eroded by the introduction of western medicine. However,
the movement of the Warlpiri people back to their traditional land has led to a renewal of
interest in the use of herbal medicine.

The Warlpiri Health System

The Warlpiri health system can be represented as follows:

CURE
NGANGKAYI

SICK PERSON YAWULYU OUTCOME

HERBAL DEATH
MEDICINE
(Adapted from Tynan 1979)

When someone falls sick one of the three main components of the health system is tried. If it
does not work, another component is used or the same component tried again until there is a
definite outcome.

Preventing Sickness. Reid (1982) gives a good description of prevention at the level of
personal relationship and religious injunctions. Preventive measures can include avoiding
foods prohibited during ceremonies or life crises, obeying ritual proscriptions , taking care
not to abuse ones’ land or trespass on territories of others, avoiding prohibited sacred sites
or approaching them with ritual protection, observing debts and obligations to others,
containing anger, violence or jealousy, exercising caution in interactions with strangers and
taking steps to avoid sorcery or often conflict with others. In summary ‘ Good health’ is
associated with strict adherence to approved patterns of behaviour and avoidance of
dangerous places, people and objects. (Biernoff 1982)

The Place of Western Medicine

Western medicine has been incorporated into this system at the same level as herbal medicine.
By doing this, the Warlpiri are able to retain their belief in spirit causation of illness while
using western medicine for the relief of symptoms.

Changes are taking place in the illness-related beliefs of Aborigines in the Northern Territory.
Reid’s study at Yirrkala shows that this change is characterised by the “gradual addition of
causes and elaboration of the existing causes within the aetiological domain”. Reid lists three
categories of causes: (1) social and spiritual causes, eg sorcery, breaking the law; (2) causes
other than social or spiritual, eg emotional state, old age, assault; (3) emergent causes, eg
alcohol, sin, smoking (Reid 1983).

In spite of this attempt to incorporate western medicine into the traditional system, there are
many areas of conflict. Western medicine is value laden and based upon particular western
explanatory models. Variation in the underlying beliefs, assumptions and general medical
information has been implicated as the basis for the conscious rejection of western health care
by some Aborigines (Hamilton 1974). It is well known that differences in underlying
knowledge systems impede even willing compliance between culturally divergent groups.
The lack of a common conceptual framework within which patient and practitioner can
interact may result in decreased compliance and satisfaction. (Maher 1999)

DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL PRACTICE IN HEALTH SERVICES TO

ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

There has been government support with recognition for Traditional Aboriginal Medicine
since the 1970’s. A report on Aboriginal health by the Australian Parliament recommended
that Aboriginal cultural beliefs and practices which affect their health and their use of health
services such as their fear of hospitalisation, their attitudes to pain and surgery, the role of
traditional healers and the differing needs and roles of Aboriginal men and women, be fully
taken into account in the design and implementation of health care programs.
(Commonwealth of Australia 1979)

Bicultural Medicine

Two way medicine is the term that has been coined by Aboriginal health workers to describe
a bicultural approach to health care. It is based on the principle that “if you can use what is
best in modern medicine together with what is best in traditional healing, the combination
may be better than either one alone” (Werner 1977). The Northern Territory Department of
Health’s first policy on Aboriginal health stated that “traditional medicine is a complementary
and vital part of Aboriginal health care, and its value is recognised and supported” (Northern
Territory Department of Health 1982). The Northern Territory Department of Health over the
years has established several programs that recognise the traditional health system, Aboriginal
values and beliefs.

Support for Traditional Healers/Ngangkari

Traditional healers were employed by the Northern Territory Department of Health at various
rural health centres in Central Australia in the early 1970’s. A training course to teach
traditional healers about western medical practices was attempted in 1974. It was soon
realised that it would be better to train a separate group as Aboriginal health workers and to
leave the traditional healers to their vitally important roles (Devanesen and Briscoe 1980).
The employment of traditional healers was ceased, and a training program for Aboriginal
health workers commenced. However, rural health centres continue to recognise and
cooperate with traditional healers in the management of sick people. A meeting of
Ngangkaris was held near Ayers Rock in April 2000. Over 40 Ngangkaris gathered together
to discuss the production of an information manual about the work, history and traditions of
Ngangkari. (Mullins M. 2000)
Some remote Health Centres run by Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations have
recommenced the employment of Traditional Healers. The Healers often act also as
consultants for determining culturally appropriate service delivery.

A recent proposal to establish an Aboriginal Healing Centre close to the Alice Springs
Hospital is being examined. The centre would develop a place to promote spiritual health
supported by a network of traditional Aboriginal healers.

Aboriginal Health Workers

There are over three hundred Aboriginal health workers in the Northern Territory today. The
Aboriginal Health Worker Training Program is recognised as one of the main strategies for
improving Aboriginal health. Aboriginal health workers are selected by their own
communities and trained in various western medical skills. They have proved highly
successful in treating common health problems in Aboriginal communities, such as diarrhoea,
chest infections, trachoma, ear and skin infections. They also act as mediators between
western and traditional medical systems. The Northern Territory has registered Aboriginal
Health Workers through the Health Practitioners and Allied Professionals Registration Act
1985.

Aboriginal Health Workers bridge the “cultural chasm” separating the traditional and western
world views. They relate western beliefs to an Aboriginal conceptual framework making it
possible for Aboriginal patients to understand what is being said and to assess the validity of
the statements. They make it possible for the health centre teams to communicate with
Aborigines in language and concepts that they understand. In most Aboriginal communities,
the people’s point of entry into the western health system is through the Aboriginal health
worker who may refer them to a nurse or doctor or back to the traditional system as shown
below:

NGANGKAYI

TRADITIONAL
YAWULYU
MEDICINE
HERBAL MEDICINE
SICK PERSON

WESTERN
AHW
MEDICINE HEALTH
CLINIC
NURSE

DOCTOR
HOSPITAL
SPECIALIST
The Bush Medicine or Herbal Medicine Program

Aboriginal expertise regarding plants has been acknowledged for many years. Webb (1969)
has shown that many Aboriginal bush medicines contain biologically active compounds.
Bitter Bark (Alstonia constricta), used to prepare a tonic, contains reserpine, a tranquilliser
and antihypertensive. Plants used on sores and wounds contain proteolytic enzymes that help
healing. Spilanthes, a native daisy used to treat toothache, has been shown to contain
spilanthol - a local anaesthetic. Over half the world’s supply of the drugs hyoscine and
scopolamine come from an Australian native tree Duboisia, which was used by Aborigines as
an emu and fish poison (Pearn 1981).

In 1973, the Northern Territory Department of Health started collecting information regarding
the Aboriginal use of plants. The collection was systematised in 1979, and by 1982, over fifty
different medicinal plants had been recorded. The Aboriginal health workers and tribal elders
were the key personnel in this program. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and botanists have also
been involved. This program has helped non-Aboriginal staff appreciate the great knowledge
and complexity of the Aboriginal health system (Devanesen and Henshall 1982).

The Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia

In 1988 the first Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia for the Northern Territory was published. This
major work with beautiful photographs list 70 plants and six other natural substances used by
Aborigines. Forty Aboriginal communities contributed to the pharmacopoeia by describing
and demonstrating the use of their herbal remedies. All the plants were carefully indentified
by botanists and then screened for essential oils, minerals, saponins, tannins, triterpenes and
steroids. (Aboriginal Communities of the Northern Territory 1988)

The main conditions that herbal remedies were used for reflect the types of sickness that
Aborigines had before contact with Western society. They were, joint and muscle pain,
toothache and sore mouth, gastro-intestinal disorders, symptoms of colds and flu, e.g. fever,
headache and ill-defined pain, congestion, cough, general malaise, sore throat, sores, boils,
cuts, scabies, bites, stings, burns and major wounds, warts, allergy rash and itchy skin
disorders, ringworm, other tinea form skin infections, eye disorders and fever. (See Table of
remedies in Appendix)

Ongoing Work In Aboriginal Herbal Medicine

In 1995 staff at a remote Health Centre in the Northern Territory carried out a study to
compare the effectiveness of would healing by the use of a traditional remedy, Bauhinia root
(Lysiphyllum cunninghamii) and use of Western preparation in the treatment of boils, sores
and scabies. The study concluded that the herbal medicine was as effective as the Western
preparations. In addition the Aboriginal people felt more comfortable using the traditional
remedies and left them with a sense of pride in their own traditional knowledge and culture.
(McLean etal 1996)

Herbal remedies continue to be studied in the Northern Territory. The Conservation

Commission of the Northern Territory put out their own publication called ‘Traditional
Aboriginal Medicines In the Northern Territory that list over 50 herbal remedies.

There has been some interest in plants used by Aborigines to control fertility and lactation.

The Bush Food Program

Aboriginal people often view food as their medicine. Many foods are known to strengthen
the body against sickness or promote healing. Some prized foods such as the witchetty grub
(Xyleutes) are crushed and used for treatment of burns and wounds. The grubs are nutritious
as well, with protein (15.1%), fat (19.2%), 100mgs thiamine and 5mg vitamin C per 100gms.
In 1981, the Northern Territory Department of Health launched the Bush Food Program
which sought to establish a durable record of traditional Aboriginal food practices and beliefs
and develop a more relevant and acceptable style of nutrition education. This program,
initiated by departmental dietitians and Aboriginal health workers, has come a long way, and
an exciting nutrition education program has been developed.

A publication on the nutritional composition of forty-two bush foods collected through this
program has some interesting results. (Brand et al 1983) The green plum (Terminiala
ferdinandiana) contains 3150mg/100g of Vitamin C - making it the richest source of Vitamin
C in the world. The bush banana (Leichardtia australis and L. leptophylla) and the water lily
root (Nymphae macrosperm) contains very high proportions of protein, and the list goes on.

Like the Bush Medicine Program, the Bush Foods Program has led to the stimulation of
reciprocal learning processes between two cultures and the self examination of attitudes and
values.

CONCLUSION

The current health status of Aboriginal people is characterised by unacceptable levels of

morbidity and mortality. Aboriginal life expectancy is twenty years less than other
Australians. Western medicine has not solved many of the Aboriginal health problems. It has
been said that Western medicines epitaph will be that it was “brilliant in its scientific
discoveries, superb in its technological breakthroughs, but woefully inept in its application of
knowledge to those most in need”.

Traditional medicine is part of Aboriginal culture. Its recognition can bolster the self
confidence of Aboriginal people and improve the delivery of health services to Aboriginal
communities. Two way medicine needs to be supported and developed with ongoing research
to evaluate the therapeutic value of traditional medicine. The increasing world-wide
popularity and use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine may assist in the
development and sustainability of Aboriginal Traditional medicine and healing in Australia.
REFERENCES

Abbott K (1998), Proposed site of development Ngalka Jana. Unpublised.

Aboriginal Communities of the Northern Territory of Australia (1998), (Traditional Bush

Medicines. An Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia Greenhouse Publication.

Biernoff D (1982), Psychiatric and anthropological interpretations of ‘aberrant’ behaviour in

an Aboriginal community. In reid J (ed) Body, Land & Spirit. Health & Healing in
Aboriginal Society University of Queensland Press.

Brand, JC et al. (1983), “The nutritional composition f Australian Aboriginal bushfoods”,

Food Technology In Australia 6, 293-298

Commonwealth of Australia (1979), Aboriginal Health House of Representatives Standing

Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, AGPS
Devanesen, D (1983). “Traditional art in the health worker training program”, The
Aboriginal Health Worker 7(3), 4-8

Devanesen, D and Henshall, TS (1982), “A study of plant medicines in Central Australia”,

Transactions of the Menzies Foundation 4, 161-166

Devanesen D (1985), Traditional Aboriginal Medicine and Bicultural Approach to Health

Care In Australias’ Northern Territory Proceedings of the 2nd National Drug Institute, Alcohol
and Drug Foundation, Canberra 1985.

Elkin, AP (1977), Aboriginal Men of High Degree (second edition), University of Queensland
Press, Brisbane

Hamilton, A (1974), “The traditionally oriented community”, in BS Hetzelet al. (eds), Better
Health for Aborigines, University of Queensland Press, Brisbane

Henshall, T et al. (1980), Ngurrju Maninja Kurlangu. Yapa Nyurnu Kurlangu. Bush
Medicine, Warlpiri Literature Production Centre Inc, Yuendumu

Isaacs J (1980), Australian Dreaming Lansdown Press Sydney

Maher P (1999), A Review Of Traditional Aboriginal Health Beliefs Aust. J. Rural Health
(1999) 7, 229 – 236.

McLean M, Dow W, Bathern R et al (1996), A study of the comparison between the

traditional Aboriginal medicines and western preparations in the treatment and healing of
boils sores and scabies. Unpublished.

Mullins M. (2000), Personal Communication

Munn, ND (1973), Warlpiri Iconography, Cornell University Press, New York

Nathan, P and Japanangka, DL (1983), Health Business, Heinmann Educational, Victoria

Northern Territory Department of Health (1982), Annual Report 1981/1982 Government

Printer of the Northern Territory.
Pearn, J (1981), “Corked up. Clinical hyoscine poisoning with alkaloids of the native
corkwood, Duboisia”, Medical Journal of Australia 2, 422-423

Reid J (1982) Body Land & Spirit. Health and Healing in Aboriginal Society, University of
Queensland Press.

Reid, JC (1983), Sorcerers and Healing Spirits: Australian National University Press,
Canberra

Soong, FS (1983), “Role of the margidbu (traditional healer) in western Arnhem Land”,
Medical Journal of Australia 1, 474-477

Tynan, BJ (1979), Medical Systems In Conflict. A Study of Power, Government Printer of

the Northern Territory, Darwin

Webb, LJ (1969), “Australian plants and chemical research”, Offprint from The Last of the
Lands, The Jacaranda press

Werner, D (1977), Where There Is No Doctor, Hesperian Foundation, California

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All references to the Warlpiri tribe are with the kind permission and consent of the Yuendumu
Council.

The Northern Territory Government, the Minister for Health, Family & Children Services, the
Hon. Mr Stephen Dunham MLA for permission to attend the International Symposium on
Traditional Medicine run by the WHO Centre for Health Development, Kobe, Japan.
APPENDIX

TABLE OF REMEDIES
Source: Aboriginal Communities of the Northern Territory of Australia 1988 Traditional
Bush Medicines. An Aboriginal Pharmacopoeia, Greenhouse Publications

COMPLAINT NAME PREPARATION

Joint and muscle pain Capparis umbonata Liniment

Clerodendrum floribundum Mixture and lotion
Crinum angustifolium Liniment
Cymbopogon ambiguus Liniment
Eremophila longifolia Liniment
Erythrophleum chlorostachys Application
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Wash or liniment
Eucalyptus gum Wash
Eucalyptus tetrodonta Poultice
Excoercaria parvifolia Liniment
Tinospora smilacina Poultice
Pandanus spiralis Poultice

Toothache and sore mouth Buchanania obovata ‘Toothpick’ and mouthwash

Eucalyptus tetrodonta Mouthwash
Hakea macrocarpa Application
Pandanus spiralis Application and gargle
Spinifex longifolius Mouthwash
Oecophylla (green ants) Mouthwash and gargle

Gastro-intestinal disorders Callitris intratropica External application

Clerodendrum floribundum Mixture
Eremophila freelingii Mixture
Ficus opposita Mixture
Grewia retusifolia Mixture
Grewia retusifolia Mixture
Jacksonia dilatata Mixture and external
application
Litsea glutinosa Mixture and inhalation
Persoonia falcata Mixture
Tinospora smilacina External application
Termitaria Powder or mixture
White clay Powder
Oecophylla (green ants) Mixture

Symptoms of colds and flu, Acacia lysiphloia Application and wash

e.g. fever, headache and ill- Amyema bifurcatum Mixture

defined pain, congestion, Callitris glaucophylla Application
cough, general malaise, Callitris glaucophylla Application
sore throat Calytrix brownii Mixture and inhalation
 Clerodendrum floribundum Mixture

COMPLAINT NAME PREPARATION

Cymbopogon ambiguus Inhalation, application and

mixture
Cymbopogon obtectus Mixture
Cymbogon procerus Wash
Eremophila alternifolia Mixture and inhalation
Eremophila duttonii Mixture
Eremophila freelingii Wash and inhalation
Eremophila longifolia Wash
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Wash
Eucalyptus tetrodonta Wash and mixture
Euphorbia drummondii Liniment
Livistona humilis Mouthwash and mixture
Lysiphyllum cunninghamii Mixture
Melaleuca species Wash, mixture and inhalation
Morinda citrifolia Diet supplement
Persoonia falcata Mixture
Prostanthera striatiflora Liniment, wash and inhalation
Pterocaulon serrulatum Inhalation
Pterocaulon sphacelatum Inhalation
Santalum lanceolatum Mixture
Oecophylla (green ants) Mixture
Tinospora smilacina Internal

Skin: Sores, boils, cuts etc Acacia holosericea Wash

Acacia estrophiolata Wash, powder and ointment
Acacia tetragonophylla Wash
Alphitonia excelsa Detergent
Avicennia marina Paste
Brachychiton diversifolius Gum
Buchanania obovata Wash
Callitris intratropica Wash
Camptostemon schultzii Wash and application
Capparis umbonata Wash
Clerondendrum floribundum Lotion
Cochlospermum fraseri Application
Crinum angustifolium Wash
Cymbopogon ambiguus Application
Orchidaceae Application
Eremophila duttonii Wash or application
Eremophila freelingii Wash
Eremophila sturtii Wash
Eremophila longifolia Wash and poultice
Erythrophleum chlorostachys Wash and poultice
Eucalyptus gum Application and wash
Eucalyptus tetrodonta Lotion and wash
Hibiscus tiliaeus Application
Euphorbia hirta Application
Excoecaria parvifolia Wash
 Excoecaria parvifolia Wash

COMPLAINT NAME PREPARATION

Grewia orientalis Application

Grewia retusifolia Application
Hakea eyreana Powder and ointment
Hakea macrocarpa Powder
Ipomoea pes-caprae Poultice
Lysiphyllum cunninghamii Wash
Owenia Wash
Pandanus spiralis Application
Planchonia careya Wash
Protasparaus racemosus Wash
Pterocaulonserrulatum Wash
Ptwrocaulon sphacelatum Application
Sarostemma australe Wash
Terminalia carpentariae Application
Tinospora smilacina Poultice
Ochrogaster (processionary Dressing
caterpiller bag)

Skin: Scabies Acacia estrophiolata Wash

Camptostemon schultzii Wash
Capparis umbonata Wash
Cymbopogon ambiguus Wash
Eremophila freelingii Wash
Eremophila longifolia Wash
Eucalyptus gum Wash and application
Euphorbia drummondii Lotion
Excoecaria parvifolia Wash
Ficus opposita Application
Grewia retusifolia Lotion
Lysiphyllum cunninghamii Wash
Pandanus spiralis Wash
Prostanthera striatiflora Lotion or ointment
Protasparagus racemosus Wash
Pterocaulon serrulatum Wash
Sarcostemma australe Wash and application
Terminalia carpentariae Application

Skin: Bites and Stings Avicennia marina Application

Ipomoea pes-caprae Poultice
Scaevola sericea Application
Sterculia quadrifida Poultice
Tinospora smilacina Poultice
Bush cockroach Application

Skin: Burns and Major Acacia estrophiolata Lotion and bandage

wounds Crinum angustifolium Wash and dressing
Eremophilia alternifolia Wash or application
Eucalyptus gum Wash
 Hakea eyreana Powder and ointment

COMPLAINT NAME PREPARATION

Hakea macrocarpa Powder

Ipomoea pes-caprae Dressing
Ochrogaster (processionary Dressing
caterpillar bag)
Xyleutes (witchety grub) Application

Skin: Warts Acacia tetragonophylla Spines

Euphorbia hirta Application
Hakea eyreana Spines
Hakea macrocarpa Spines
Allergy rash and itchy skin Acacia holosericea Wash
disorders Callitris glaucophylla Lotion
Callitris glaucophylla Lotion
Clerodendrum floribundum Lotion
Dendrobium affine Application
Ficus opposita Application
Terminalia carpentariae Application
Ringworm and other Avicennia marina Paste
tineaform skin infections Camptostemon schultzii Wash
Pterocaulon serrulatum Wash

Eye disorders Acacia estrophiolata Lotion

Buchanania obovata Lotion
Eremophila duttonii Lotion
Eucalyptus gum Wash for lids
Owenia vernicosa Lotion
Pandanus spiralis Drops
Pandanus spiralis Drops
Persoonia falcata Drops
Pterocaulon sphacelatum Wash for lids
Scaevola sericea Drops
Sterculia quadrifida Drops

Pain Acacia holosericea Dressing

Capparis umbonata Liniment
Clerodendrum floribundum Mixture
Cymbopogon ambiguus Wash and mixture
Eremophila alternifolia Paste
Erythrophleum chlorostachys Application
Euphorbia hirta Liniment
Ipomoea pes-caprae Application
Spinifex longifolius Wash & mixture
Tinospora smilacina Poultice

Fever Cochlospermum fraseri Mixture

Cymbopogon ambiguus Wash and mixture
Cymbopogon procerus Wash
Lysiphyllum cunninghamii Wash and mixture
 Pandanus spiralis Wash

COMPLAINT NAME PREPARATION

Sundry conditions treated Acacia lysiphloia Smoke

with smoke or vapour baths Acacia kempeana Smoke
Acacia ligulata Smoke
Acacia aneura Smoke
Callitris glaucophylla Smoke
Cymbopogon bombycinus Smoke
Erythrophleum chlorostachys Smoke
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Inhalation
Santalum lanceolatum Smoke

Bandages and splints Acacia estrophiolata Bandages

Acacia cuthbertsonii Bandages
Acacia difficilis Bandages
Acacia tetragonophlla Bandages and splints
Brachychiton diversifolius Bandages
Clerodendrum floribundum Splints
Cochlospermum fraseri Bandags and splints

Tonics Euphorbia hirta Mixture

Excoecaria parvifolia Wash
Terminalia carpentariae Application